"Joseph went with Wanda."

My sweet dear Lukee gave me the greatest gift last night--a laugh from something that he said, so sweet and innocent. I hope to never forget this one . . . .

We were sitting at the dinner table when out of nowhere he said, "Mama, Where did Joseph go with Wanda?" I had no idea what he was talking about so I told him to repeat himself. And he said again, "Where did Joseph go with Wanda?" I was even more confused so I asked him, "What are you talking about?" And in the sweetest, most precious way, only the innocence of a child could give, he said, "You know in that song you sing, Joseph went with Wanda." It was then that I realized what he was talking about and I couldn't contain my laughter--the lyrics to "Mary Did You Know" say, "Joseph wept with wonder." I guess he has heard me sing it so many times that he has memorized it--now if only I could sing more clearly, right?

Merry Christmas!

Yes, I know I am a slacker . . . . . . .

but it has been C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!!!! with a capital "C." I am sure that you are experiencing the same thing with your family right now. I am so psyched!!!! I finished up my work today and will not be going back til after Jan 8!!!! oh, the beauty of this "J-O-B!" I will be absent from my blog for quite a while, just enjoying the boys during the holidays. I hope that you have a VERY Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!

Love,
Amy

It's been a crazy week . . . .

so I have neglected the blog a bit. Sadly, Jimmy's grandmother, Deanie, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning. She was 97 and lived a very full life. The funeral is tomorrow so we will be traveling to Lafayette today for that. Burial will be in Acona, MS on Tuesday. Jimmy will be driving his parents so the boys and I will not be going. Please remember his family in your prayers--especially this Christmas. She was always a very vibrant part of the family and will be missed terribly.

We went to a festive Christmas party last night at the Leake's in Liberty and had a wonderful time as always. Bubbles the clown entertained the kids, Santa stopped by and the fireworks knocked our socks off.

We are headed to Baton Rouge today for the parade that passes right in front of Mama and Daddy's. So much festivity, I can hardly stand it. I'll leave you with this . . .

Getting to know your friends at Christmas

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both

2. Real tree or artificial? usually real, but artificial this year

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? the day or two after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? used to love it but now don't like it at all

6. Favorite gift received as a child? the doll clothes that my mother made right under my nose

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes

8. Hardest person to buy for? my mother

9. Easiest person to buy for? my kids

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? not sure

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail definately!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually have some before then, but mostly the day after Thanksgiving

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mother-in-law's dressing, but don't tell my mother and all of the fudge and pralines--wish I could make divinity.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? usually colored for the kids, however the tree that I bought came with clear lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Mary Did You Know

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? this year dinner with my family at my house then always travel to New Iberia to Jimmy's family for a few days.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? of course

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? used to be an angel til she "died". just bout a cool star last weekedn.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? the kids get to open one present on Christmas Eve (a tradition that my mom started with us), then the rest of the gifts Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The fact that it gets so crazy that you don't have time to enjoy parties, etc...that it is just too busy.


Answer these questions and post them here.

Trying to recover . . . .

from yesterday -- super-charged Christmas shopping!!!!!! I left my house at 5:30 am and got home at midnight. What a blast I had shopping with my supper club friends. All six of us fit very comfortably into Benita's suburban however after 14 hours of shopping, it wasn't so comfortable. I think I had SIX bags on my lap on the way home. I can't believe that I didn't take my camera b/c there were some shots to be taken, especially when Anita and I camped out on the leather recliner in Target -- and it was comfortable too. We laughed and cut up and had an awesome time--and I found lots of GREAT gifts. My find of the day, well I can't say b/c I bought it for two people on my list and they are going to be soooooooo lucky to get this gift!!!!! aren't you just dying to know? call me and I will tell you if you want to hear about a GREAT deal! Thanks to Debbie Smith who kept my boys for over 12 hours. What a dream babysitter she is. She fixed a full breakfast for them when they arrived at 8am--and had prepared enough for Jimmy too--then she took them to Sonic, made cookies with them, made homemade pizza with them for supper, roasted marshmallows in their fire pit, played ping-pong with the boys, bought them all remote-controlled cars, the movie CARS and then told me when I called, "I bet I am having more fun than you are!" Jimmy picked them up at 8pm and she had roast and rice and gravy ready for him. He told me that if anything should happen to me on the way home, that he would be moving in with her!!!!!! (Love you too, honey) Wonder what her dear hubby would think of that! Anyway, when we arrived at church today, I started to feel bad because I didn't see her car and thought that she was too worn out to get up and go, however she was there and told me that she so enjoyed the boys and to bring them anytime--Anytime, you say? hhhmmmm . . . . . She even offered to keep them for Jimmy and I to go away for the weekend. Ok, this sounds too good to be true, however lucky for me, it is not! You see there are still good people in this world and I am blessed enough to know one--thanks Debbie!

Back to wrapping gifts!

Night!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered. . . They're Postal!

I am soooooooooooooo super excited to say that my Christmas cards are done!!!! woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems that the last few years, my Christmas cards have not gotten started til mid-December and have become a chore rather than a joy, hence my reasoning for doing them early this year. Pat, Pat on my back! Anyway, check your mailboxes because they are on their way.

Off to Hattiesburg at 5:30 am!!!!!!!!!!! tomorrow -- Christmas shopping with my supper club. Should be tons of fun!

Can you help a girl out?

Well, it seems that I have a blog stalker--that would be my dear hubby. You see, he goes to my blog everyday, so I am thinking, "Wow, he is really interested in what I am saying here." when in reality he tells me, "No, I am just amazed at how no one ever comments and you continue to put stuff on there." Duh!!!!!! doesn't he know that I have MANY people who are foaming at the mouth, just waiting for my next post!!!! haha! So, anyway, can you help me out? Please from now until next Sunday, when you check my blog, please post a comment so that he will see that I really do have friends. Thanks!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house

Thanksgiving Day was nice with dinner at Mama and Daddy's and to the movies to see Santa Clause 3 (don't waste your money). Jimmy had to work and so did Daddy so it was just me and the boys, Mama, Traci and her family. We had a yummy dinner and enjoyed each other's company (no fights either!). Traci and I made our annual/traditional walk over to Walgreen's but didn't find too much. Usually we rake up on stocking stuffers but not this year.

And with Thanksgiving gone, we are on to our favorite holiday of all--Christmas!!!!!!! The boys and I decorated yesterday. I LOVE when my house is decorated for Christmas. We have an artificial tree this year and while it is not the greatest tree we have ever had, it is still nice. Not sure how many years we will use it but so be it.

Still working on my Christmas cards--looks like I just might make my "deadline!" so be watching your mailboxes.

GOOOOOOOOOOO Tigers!

This past Saturday was our long-awaited tailgate party at LSU. We had a blast! so nice visiting with family and friends--about 65 people came. We ate Jimmy's yummy jambalaya and cake for Andrew's birthday.



I ate waaaay too much but it was soooo good! The kids played football and got very muddy and Asa found a $20 bill in the mud. A few people went to the game while most of listened on the radio or watched it on TV. It wasn't LSU's best playing but a win is a win, right?






Home this week for the Thanksgiving holiday. I plan on enjoying some down time with my boys. Hoping to start on some Christmas gifts and maybe decorate my house this weekend. I LOVE decorating for Christmas! I usually go a bit overboard but the past two years I have not. I am planning on the same this year--simple but Christmas nonetheless.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

ok, maybe not quite, however I am getting pretty excited that the holidays are right around the corner. And "pat, pat" on my back--I just ordered my Christmas card pics on line--woohoo! I have never been this early before but I am determined to get my cards out December 1! You think I'll do it? I just might.

Note: as you can tell I did not figure out how to post a pic in a post however while playing around, I discovered all kinds of other cool things for my blog. Enjoy!

why oh why can't i post a pic--arrrrggghhhh!

Computer really *!*(** me off sometimes. Probably because I don't know what I am doing most of the time. I am trying to post pics from this weekend and my Picasa program won't work with the new version of blogspot. any help with any of you bloggers out there would be most appreciated.

I worked in Clinton today and it stormed. Jimmy picked up Luke for me and when I got home, he was making gumbo in his black pot outside. Gotta love a man who picks your kids up AND cooks! I think I'll keep him! got my shower curtain monogrammed today with a 12 inch "A" --looks cool! and bought a new very bling, bling purse. Makes me happy. will try to post pics if I ever figure it out!!!!!!

Ok, pics won't upload AGAIN!!!! how could it work one day and not the next--*@!*@!**

Been having LOADS of fun!

It's been a while so I have a lot to share. Weekend before last was my family reunion. It was soooo good to see cousins that I don't see but every few years. We have established this will be a yearly tradition for the McKey Family.

Then last week was so busy that I don't remember too much of it. On Tuesday, I checked the boys out from school to go on a much needed shopping trip for pants before going to the dentist for check-ups. Well, you would have thought I took them to the orchestra--they were bored out of their minds and very uncooperative with the whole shopping thing. I threatened that they would have to go naked if they didn't cooperate with me--do you think they cared? Walking around naked is pretty sacred to boys, right? Anyway, after having not much success in the pants department we went to the western store and everyone got a new pair of boots (not Noah--he has a good pair) and while there, the boys were filmed in a commerical for Cathy's Cowboy Corral. So if you live in Natchez, you just might catch the Abadie boys on TV.
This past weekend was beautiful! and we spent most of it with Darren, Jill and Cole--our dear friends from New Iberia. They came to go riding in the forest for Cole's birthday. Jill and I enjoyed some girl time at home (cooking supper!--what else?). Then on Sunday after church, we saddled the horses again and took turns riding. Boy, the weather was gorgeous and we had a very relaxing day. Here's to good friends! So good to be around them. Darren and Jimmy have been friends since 10th grade meeting in 4-H. Check out their piture. Do they look alike or what? The other pics: Asa on the horse, Luke on the horse and Noah working Two-Eyed. Andrew didn't want to ride so I didn't get his picture.

(sorry, I can't get the pics to post--will try again later)

OK, OK, OK, I know I am a slacker . . .

and I have neglected my blog. I promise to update today with the juicy details of my life from the last week. Stay tuned!

Good smell . . . .

UMMMMMMM it smells so good in my house. A sliced lemon, a piece of a sliced apple, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, a few cloves and some water boiling in a pot on the stove. YUMMY! Instant harvest smell. One problem: I am the only one in my house who likes the smell. Oh well, my opinion is the only one that counts! Oh, and don't let it burn--that doesn't smell too good--so keep the water in it. After letting all the water boil out TWO times and scraping my nice new, very expensive pot, I opted for a $2.00 pot from Dollar General. It is officially my "harvest" pot.

My hands are freezing--it's that time again--when I wear more clothes inside than I do outside. Here's to an old house made of cinderblock and not much insulation. BRRRRR! Hence four children! just kidding!

Happy day to you!

These make me REEEEALLY happy!!

 

I just LOOOOVE when a new scrapbook magazine comes out. You may not understand it but I know the exact day that each one hits the newstands and I usually go and get it. It is my fix. Now if only it were storming outside, there was a fire in the fireplace, a candle lit and NO ONE home, then it would be PERFECT but since none of that is happening I guess I'll just get in bed and read anyway. Night! 

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeen!

 
 
 
 

We are home from trick-or-treating and all of my little goblins are sleeping. I picked the boys up from school plus two extras and off we went to Chili's in Zachary for an early dinner. If you have never dined with six boys all under the age of 12, you must do so sometime. If only to appreciate dining alone!!!!!!!!! Really, they were well-behaved and we left the restaurant in one piece. Off to WalMart we went to get Andrew some camo pants to complete his hunter "costume." Asa wanted to get a shopping cart but I said, "I've got six of them right here." and we proceeded to get lunch stuff for the rest of the week with each of them holding a few things in their arms. Ok, I am sure at this point the two friends were thinking that I was nuts! We went to Missy's to change and then on to trick-or-treating. Luke was tired after about 30 minutes and he "suffered" for another 30 minutes. So one hour of t-o-t-ing and we have the bowl of candy you see here. Enough to rot an elephant's entire mouth of teeth! Noah was Clinton Anderson--THE horse trainer from Down Under--if you watch RFDTV then you know who I am talking about however I am sure that none of you do. He is Noah's idol right now. Andrew was a hunter, Asa was a red power ranger and LUke was Buzz Lightyear. Our two friends went as Walker Texas Ranger and a football player. I can't believe that I didn't get any individual pics but nevertheless here are the pics from tonight. I think Luke is hiding in the group pic and if you look closely you can see my sister, Missy peering through the glass from the inside. Good Times! 

Pecans For Sale

 

After 10 years, our tree has finally produced again. Don't know why but it did. So we have picked about 50 pounds of pecans and the boys are selling them. So if you want some, let me know. Sorry, local pick-up only. Now that narrows the field doesn't it? 

Reconnecting with an old friend. . . .

 
 
 
 

After way too long, we visited Saturday with Robyn and her children who have just returned to Louisiana after about 10 years living elsewhere. They are now in Mandeville which is only about 1 hour and 45 minutes away. Robyn and I met in my second year of college, we were in each others' weddings, and we are each godmothers to one of each of our children. She to Andrew and I to Mattie. Love that! I am so blessed to have such great friends and Robyn is one of those. It was so great to visit with her in her own home. In the last ten years, we have met at restaurants, she has come to my home in route to some other destination, etc but I have not been to her home since they lived in medical student housing/apartment in Jackson, MS about 10 years ago. They have lived in Georgia, Maryland, and most recently El Paso but are now home in Louisiana. Robyn, you look GREAT, your home is beautiful, and your children are precious. You have so much to be proud of. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. and to my sweet Mattie, I LOVE YOU! 

My new do

 

Let me warn you to stop reading this now if you are currently, have been in the past or are thinking of becoming a hair stylist . . . if you choose to continue to read, then you do so on your own terms. I cannot be held responsible for what I am about to say . . . ok so after ONLY three weeks of waiting I finally got an appointment to have my hair cut and colored. Never mind the 45 minute drive there . . . . so I go this morning and tell her that I want to go brown, not back to my natural shit brown but more Hershey Chocolate brown. Ok, she got that right. Then I showed her a picture of something similar to what I want. You know my hair had gotten too long all over and was pretty flat so I wanted a bit of umph! Ok, why the hell can't hairdressers just cut like the picture. or tell me that my hair won't do that!!!! and in what part of the conversation of the picture does the word "bangs" come to mind. OMG she gave me bangs!!! I haven't had bangs in years!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to cry--not because of my hair but out of frustration. I really like this girl and this salon but this is the second time she has done this. Just totally not done what I have asked her or showed her. If nothing else, just say, "girl, there is no way in hell that I can do that to your hair." or whatever! anyway, I came home and washed it and started over and I must say that I like it. It is definitely more chic than the "grandma-mushroom do" that I walked out of there with. And $100 poorer too! Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now and move on to better things, like . . .

My house is so warm and cozy. Luke and I are enjoying the nasty weather outside . . .because we are inside! We've got Mr. Jack-O-Lantern lit on the table and a Yankee Hazlenut/Coffee candle burning with the lights off and the lamps on. LOVE this time of year (as long as I am inside--lucky me today). 

He did it!!!!!!!!!!

 
 
 

I am sooooooo proud of Noah for sticking with it. He has been trying to get Sassy to come to him, etc. and today he worked, ever so patiently, trying to get her used to the idea of a halter. He rubbed it on her neck and then let her feel it with her nose. I was soooooo impressed with my little man. He really is taking this seriously. Some of you may remember that this time last year, we were knee deep in chickens. He was fantatical about them. Well, he has moved on--I think he got burned out with his chickens--and I kind of miss the crowing but love that he is really wanting to learn as much as he can about whatever he is into at the time. As far as chickens vs. horses . . . well, chickens are definitely cheaper!!!!!!! 

my latest layout . . . "Freaky Lukey" . . playing with patterned paper challenge . . .

 

Well here is the pic as I scrapped it. I am forcing myself to use all of my fantastic patterned paper. and it is a challenge to say the least. Ali Edwards (AE) says that you should not use the papers and embellishments that come together . . . if you are not a scrapper than you should probably skip this post as I ramble on . . . so then why the hell do they sell it all together so nicely packaged? know what I mean? anyway I am REALLY trying to learn this process because I want to. Not because I want my pages to be magazine worthy, but just because it is a challenge for me. As far as the layout is concerned, the top corner says "be U" and the bottom journaling is done on a Heidi Swapp journaling spot. Love these--kind of like little post-it notes. 

One sick "puppy"

 

Sweet Lukee is home sick today. We were up at 4:30 am with a stomach virus of sorts--yuck! I found him in the chair with his pals asleep on him. Isn't that cute? 

Freaky Lukeey!

 

We spent this past Saturday at church. It was the Octoberfest in Gloster--what a joke--and our church had a Fall Bazaar. I did the garage sale, and there was a silent auction, bake sale, jambalaya bowls, country store, a 50/50 raffle where the lucky winner won $175, games for the kids, etc. It was a GREAT success! I priced everything 25 Cents except for the big stuff and we made $550 in the garage sale alone. Now that's a lot of quarters. It was a success. You wouldn't believe the junk that people will buy. But glad they did. There is still a lot left but nothing worth having. The entire event raised $2500 for the church. Woohoo! The church is going to use the money to get new lights in the church. The lights on the altar are casket lights from when the church was a funeral home--CREEPY!!!!! Being in the basement alone last week getting ready for the sale was CREEPY!!! yuck!

Anyway, this pic of LUke is with one of his favorite treasures from the game booths. Remember these fang teeth from when we were kids. I know I have a big mouth but I couldn't ever get these things in my mouth. But Luke sure can and isn't he the cutest little dracula you have ever seen? (the tatoos on his cheeks were just a few of the many that he put all over his body--and was Pi--ed off when I removed them in the bathtub that night). 

We have a new baby at our house and it's a GIRL!

 
 

That's right--a GIRL! (even our two new puppies are males) This little filly was born a few months ago and we just moved her to the pasture next to the house so we can watch her grow. What a beautiful sight! We call her "Sassy Frassy" because she is very spunky. Noah is really into feeding her and has even gotten to put his hands on her once or twice. He is our horse lover. 

Smiley

 

Don't you just love how his eyes smile too? He just can't help it. He is a smiler--which is why we call him "Smiley." Even when he is mad, he is smiling (sometimes). He and I took this picture when he needed a picture for school the next day -- and I just LOVE it. and I love him! 

still alive . . just too pooped to post . . .more later

puppies--see latter post for explanations

  

table

  

bathroom

  

Bathroom, puppies, table and chair . . . .

Well, here is my bathroom---isn't it awesome? If you don't think so, just go back into my archives and check out what it used to look like--ugh! don't even want to look at those pics. It is still not 100% complete--don't get me started on my carpenter's lack of communication and committment--but it is complete enough to show you.

Next, let me introduce you to Boudreaux and Bandit--our newest pets. After telling Asa that Pinkey was killed, remember this is how I smoothed it over--"oh we can get some of Mrs. Dorothy's puppies." and we got them today. I wanted to name them Boudreaux and Butt Paste but the boys wouldn't go for the latter. So here's to scooping up poop and pee again.


 
 
 
 

And then there is the table and chair that made my weekend. Silly the little things that make me smile. Anyway, I am in charge of the church garage sale--can't I just learn to say "NO?" and as I was going through all the junk I found a few treasures. This old metal chair is exactly like the one MawMaw Betz had in her kitchen for years. And it brings me back to her cooking and me eating out of her sugar bowl (she never had any sweets around so I would eat sugar by the spoonful out of the sugar bowl on her table!). I gave this old chair a yellow paint job and I just love the retro look about it. Gives my boys a place to sit -- one at a time in the kitchen (since I took out the bar stools when I chopped the bar off and made it into an island). And the table was bare but looks like someone put many hours into making it with intricate designs on the top of it. So I stained it dark and it looks like teak now. LOVE it! Burning a hazlenut candle with the fall breeze outside and I am loving it.

That's all for now. 

Cool Shoes

 


Are these not the coolest tennis shoes you have ever seen? Fits me perfectly since I am in a very brown stage. They say it's the new black, you know? I wonder if it makes you look thinner like black . . . anyway LOVE LOVE LOVE these shoes. They would look so cool in my new bathroom--oh yeah gotta post pics of the new br. will do so tomorrow.